Asked by Katie Hernandezö on Jun 30, 2024
Verified
Homeobox genes, which are critical for the developmental organization of bodies, are found in species as diverse as humans and fruit flies. This shared set of genes indicates that
A) humans and fruit flies are actually closely related to one another.
B) homeobox genes evolved independently multiple times in many different organisms.
C) humans and fruit flies are under similar selective pressures that have led to the evolution of genes with similar functions.
D) these genes originated in a distant common ancestor and have been retained due to their usefulness.
Homeobox Genes
A group of genes that play an important role in regulating the development of anatomical structures in various organisms.
Developmental Organization
The structured process by which living organisms grow and develop from early stages in their life cycle to maturity, influenced by genetic and environmental factors.
Common Ancestor
The shared ancestor of two or more distinct species or lineages, reflecting their point of divergence in the evolutionary tree.
- Understand the significance of homeobox genes in the evolutionary conservation and developmental organization across diverse species.
Verified Answer
DC
Danitza CardonneJul 04, 2024
Final Answer :
D
Explanation :
The presence of homeobox genes in both humans and fruit flies suggests that these genes originated in a distant common ancestor and have been retained through evolution due to their fundamental role in developmental processes.
Learning Objectives
- Understand the significance of homeobox genes in the evolutionary conservation and developmental organization across diverse species.